X-Files: The Game

X-Files fans, rejoice! Fox Interactive has brought one of television's most popular sci-fi shows, the X-Files, to the PlayStation. Aren't you just bursting with all sorts of alien excitement?

Assuming the role of field agent Craig Wilmore, who assists Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), players unlock a series of mysteries, while fighting against an armada of bizarre forces, taking the forms of unsuspecting "friends," unanswered accidents, and shady characters. The X-Files game is a live-action adventure that puts your alien-sniffing abilities to the test as you unlock the secrets behind alien beings living among us. What does "live-action" mean? It means digital video gameplay, much like the early titles from the dawn of the 32-bit age, but much better quality. And hopefully, much better gameplay.

"We're pleased to incorporate new technologies which allow us to successfully immerse these gamers into solving an 'X-Files' mystery with the best video ever seen on the PlayStation," said Jon Richmond, president of Fox Interactive.

The game utilizes a new game engine titled VirtualCinema. This new engine enables the highest quality video footage ever to grace the PlayStation, and since the X-Files adventure spans across four discs, you can bet that there's going to be a lot to look at. To see some of this footage in play, click on Fox Interactive's Web site, which shows modified QuickTimes (for the Web). Of course, the FMV on the PlayStation game is far superior, but it does illuminate the emotional impact that's so powerfully presented on TV and on the silver screen. VirtualCinema also brings multiple plot lines into the title with features that enable branching story possibilities. Depending on what you so, the story changes in response to your actions, behavior and attitude toward others.

During the many interviews players conduct, they'll learn to sift through a litter of clues to solve a troublesome mystery. With multiple paths and storylines to investigate, players will be challenged beytond the standard mystery game. With several items in your inventory, players are likely to be able to use a few guns, a badge, cell phone, handcuffs, flashlight, personal files, possibly a lockpicking kit, a Thinkpad, and a digital camera. The standard issue digital camera plays a large part in investigations. Useable any time, players can take pictures of other-worldly events and then download them via workstations in the field office and the apartment.

Through your adventures, you'll run across some familiar faces, including such stars as FBI Assistant Director Skinner, the Lone Gunmen, and the Cigarette Smoking Man. Many of the cast members make real appearances, including series Steven Williams, Dean Haglund, Brenden Beiser, Tom Braidwood, and other regulars. The story, not surprisingly, is created by the brilliantly creative (and slightly paranoid) creator of the show, Chris Carter.

In addition to the cast, gamers will also recognize some familiar areas from the show as well -- 30 to be exact. The areas include places such as morgues, FBI offices, motels, labs, warehouses, businesses and residents. All of this original footage was filmed entirely on location in the Pacific Northwest, before the series moved to Los Angeles last season.

Not much else is known about the title, but rest assured, as soon as more information is released, we'll leak it to you.